Microwave spectrum and ab initio computations for ethylene carbonate. Part 2.—Electric dipole moment

Abstract

The electric dipole moment of ethylene carbonate has been determined from Stark-effect measurements in its microwave spectrum as 5.35 ± 0.15 D. The breakdown of second-order perturbation theory made it necessary to use a full matrix diagonalization treatment in order to obtain consistent results. Anomalous Stark effects are observed for the M= 1 and 2 components of the 3₀₃â†� 2₀₂ transition and are analysed in terms of changes in the rotational wavefunctions. The high electric dipole moment and the electronic structure of ethylene carbonate are discussed using ab initio wavefunctions.